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First cabs off the rank this week are Geelong and the Bulldogs at Docklands. The Cats are off on a marauding run at the moment and are officially the winningest side in footy history. They also welcome back two of their four or five best players in Ablett and Chapman, so right off the bat it's hard to see them losing this one. Adding some spice to the mix from the other end is the fact that it's Jason Akermanis' 300th game, especially given the midweek controversy after his comments regarding an ex-Brisbane Lions player. To be honest it's probable that the only player that will lift for this is Aker himself. As mentioned, Geelong have two huge ins this week, but also have a couple of other changes - Tom Lonergan has been curiously dropped given Cam Mooney's suspension, and Ryan Gamble comes in for the injured Shannon Byrnes. Darren Milburn is also out, for David Johnson. The Bulldogs are missing some small defenders which could be fatal against the more than handy smalls in the Cats forward line. They're also missing their classy half forward Rob Murphy who is arguably their best and most important player. You simply can't go against the Cats and even the Bulldogs will have had this one written in as a defeat from day one in their season plan.
First up on Saturday are the Roos and the Fucking Bastards, also at the Docklands. This game is absolutely untippable. Yes North Melbourne looked absolutely woeful last week against the Cats, but that's not necessarily their fault. Fremantle definitely could win this game, but it's away from Subiaco which traditionally means they'll be average. It could also mean nothing at all. This is Fremantle. It's entirely possible that their form is dictated by alignment of Saturn with the Zodiac of Capricorn and Jupiter's moon Io. The Roos have some reasonable ins in Wells (who hopefully can have some impact now that he's not injured, although I think he follows a similar form guide to Freo), first year manboy Jack Ziebell and first choice tagger Rawlings. Although why you'd need a tagger against Freo is anyone's guess. I'm not game enough to make a prediction about this game. I'll make a tip by flipping a coin or something.
Heading west but not that west, the Crows take on Carlton at AAMI Stadium in the other Saturday afternoon game. This game's kind of interesting. These are the kind of games Carlton wants to be winning if they're going to have any kind of real impact come September, and these are the games Adelaide needs to win if they're going to have any presence in September at all. I'm pretty sure Adelaide have a fantastic recent record against the Blues, but they have a woeful home record this season, and this seems to be the year for bucking trends. Crucially, Chris Judd is starting to hit ominous form, and the Blues won big last week against (an admittedly pathetic) Collingwood with absolutely no scoreboard influence from Brendan Fevola at all. Hard to see this going any way but Blue.
Heading a bit further west than before, the West Coast Eagles take on a staggering Collingwood outfit on Saturday night at Subi. Or is it afternoon. Perth is kind of weird. The Pies are genuinely on the ropes at the moment, they've only kicked twelve goals total in two crushing defeats over the last two weeks, and their season is starting to slip away. Luckily for them it's been a very even start to the season so their top four chances aren't yet dead, but they're faced with an unpleasant task here to try and arrest their slump whilst in the unfamiliar and extremely hostile surrounds of Subiaco. It really doesn't look good for Collingwood, who are still missing just about anyone that can kick a goal. And Travis Cloke. To illustrate this point, Cameron Wood and Leigh Brown are holding the two key forward positions in the selected team. West Coast, on the other hand, are welcoming back the extremely classy Daniel Kerr who I expect to have a big impact against the largely outside Collingwood midfield. On paper it's hard to see the Pies doing anything but getting thumped, but it's also hard for me to imagine that they'll be 3-6 after nine rounds.
The other Saturday night game is actually the first game at the MCG this weekend, and sees the hapless Richmond putting the giant killing Essendon in their sites. This game became interesting at about 10.30 on Wednesday morning when Mark 'Fuckwit' Robinson erroneously reported that Terry Wallace had been sacked and the entirety of the AFL media ran with the story like a flock of seagulls clambering for one cold chip. You'd suggest that this would play into Essendon's hands, but it could have the reverse effect of galvanising the Richmond playing group and making them want their footy to do the talking. How often do you see great performances borne out of great adversity? On the other hand, a Richo-less Richmond just ain't no Richmond at all. And they're missing Benny Cousins. Not to mention that Warren 'Fuckwit' Tredrea kicked seven against them last week, and now they're up against Matthew Lloyd. You should probably tip Essendon but don't be too shocked if the Tiges get up.
The early Sunday game sees Sydney duking it out with Port Adelaide at the SCG. Sydney are still unbeaten at home, but were extremely lucky to get away with it last week thanks to West Coast's complete inability to keep cool heads. Port Adelaide are still a fairly unknown quantity, and were extremely lucky to get away with it last week thanks to Mitch Morton's complete inability to keep a cool head. Sydney will be looking to play their natural lock down game and will be assisted by the narrow confines of the SCG, while Warren Tredrea who looked white hot last week is going to face the rather vexing issue of an actual back line this week. History suggests he traditionally struggles in those situations. Adam Goodes will naturally be key for Sydney, as will Rhyce Shaw and Barry Hall. Sydney should take this, but if Port win it, don't be surprised to see them deep in the finals.
The Sunday free to air spot this week is occupied by St. Kilda and Brisbane, who find themselves in the uncomfortable surrounds of Sunday and Telstra Dome. St. Kilda have looked absolutely and utterly unstoppable this year, especially at the Dome, and with the Lions missing Merret and Patfull down back I really can not see any outcome that isn't a crushing St. Kilda victory marked by masterful performances from their twin towers Kosi and Riewoldt when the game is there to be won. And then marked by four goals kicked by Stephen 'Fuckwit' Milne when the game is well and truly wrapped up, each celebrated with more vigour than the last.
The Sunday twilight game is the reasonably unappetising prospect of Hawthorn beating Melbourne. Hawthorn have looked scrappy and average this year, but will definitely do enough to beat Melbourne. I'm not sure what the odds are for Melbourne to lead at the end of any quarter but I intend to find out and put money on it. Two words: Tip Hawthorn.
Vent Your ANGER!@#! Footy 2009 - Login
Originally Posted by Rudi 
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